Get connected on Twitter

When it comes to securing technical talent, there’s always the tried and true method of raiding programmers from the existing pool.

It happens all the time, but one company’s gain is another’s loss. And in a region that’s increasingly focused on creating and supporting scalable technology startups, poaching talent isn’t a great long-term strategy.

Erin Kidwell, Bill Barnett and Chris Moore want to create an intensive, six-month training program that graduates up to 24 developers twice a year. Their goal is to welcome the first class of developers by the end of 2013.

But first they are reaching out to their target market, which includes everybody from novices to young developers to experienced programmers. The vision looks something like this:

Web School Cincy would focus on teaching Ruby on Rails, which is the preferred programming platform for startups going through the region’s network of accelerators, as well as established firms like Gaslight, where Barnett and Moore are partners. Put simply, Ruby on Rails dramatically increases the speed with which companies can launch sophisticated digital sites. The platform also efficiently integrates programming updates and improvements.

“It’s like going from a Honda Civic, where you know it’s a good car and gets great mileage and is efficient, to a Learjet, where you’re like, ‘This is way faster and more efficient,’ ” Kidwell said.

“We’d commiserate and say, ‘I wish there were more talented web developers in this town because it would help us grow our business and reach new markets and spread the word about the good work we’re doing in Cincinnati,’ ” Barnett said.

About a year ago, Barnett, Moore and Kidwell got together and started brainstorming possible solutions. They also talked to Jeff Casimir, who co-founded gSchool, an intensive, for-profit school in Colorado with teachers whose expertise includes Ruby on Rails. The six-month program costs $20,000 and is tightly integrated with businesses in that part of the country that are looking for programmers. Students are in class Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Web School Cincy would be modeled after gSchool. Students would work with teachers and trainers on actual projects in a structured way, which is critical, Kidwell said.

“When people think of traditional university classes, they’re bored to death because you’re getting lectured at, and then you have to go home and put that into practice,” said Kidwell, a programmer who leads the Cincinnati chapter of Girl Develop It.

If they establish a market, Kidwell, Moore and Barnett will begin creating a curriculum, identifying mentors, and establishing sponsors and supporters. The idea is those sponsors would provide actual projects for the students. The students gain experience, sponsors get a working product, and a new pipeline is created between talent and employers.

But back to the first step – establishing the market. Kidwell, Barnett and Moore want to hear from prospective students to gauge the local interest in Web School Cincy, and get feedback on the structure. For example, is Monday-Friday a feasable structure, or would night classes be better? They’d also love to hear from potential sponsors. They’re asking for your help.

“It seems to be an experiment we can easily try, we just need the community to reach back to us,” Barnett said.